First published 2023
Crystal Hubbard traces the journey of LeBron James from his childhood in Ohio to his status as a basketball legend. The author follows James as he picks up basketball at age nine and develops into a player many consider among the sport's all-time greats. Hubbard chronicles his professional career across three NBA teams: the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, and Los Angeles Lakers. She details how James led each franchise to championship victories while collecting four NBA titles and two Olympic gold medals along the way. The book also covers James's expansion beyond basketball into entertainment and literature. Part of the bestselling Who Was series, this biography presents James's rise to become "King James" in an accessible format designed for young readers. Hubbard shows how a young athlete transformed into an international superstar who commands fans nationwide through his court dominance and off-court achievements.
Genres: biography, sports, basketball
Vibes: inspirational, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: rags-to-riches, rise-to-fame
Setting: Ohio, Cleveland, Miami, Los Angeles
Period: 21st-century
112 pages · Paperback · Penguin Workshop